Pastoral Musings
Sunday’s worship services were a delight. When I say this, I am not bragging on myself, I am bragging on you, on us. I give thanks to God for you. When the people of Bethlehem come together, wondrous ministries happen. Much of what made Sunday wonderful happened on Saturday, upstairs in the sanctuary and downstairs in the kitchen and fellowship hall. The tensions of talking about money (and trying to not talk about money) this past year or so is bearing fruit among us. With God’s help, we are living into our aspiration to be more transparent regarding the business side of being church. With God’s help, we are having conversations about stewardship. With God’s help, we are remembering why Bethlehem matters.
3rd Sunday in Advent
The presence of the Lord “in your midst” in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of the Lord in prayer, in every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one “more powerful” than John, even with his winnowing fork in his hand, is good news—and cause for exultation—for us who are being saved. Great joy is the tone for the third Sunday of Advent.
Readings
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Hymns & Setting
ELW Holy Communion Setting Eight
Candle Lighting: Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (ELW 240)
Gathering: Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers (ELW 244)
Hymn of the Day: Canticle of the Turning (ELW 723)
Distribution: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love (ELW 708)
Distribution: Wait for the Lord (ELW 262)
Sending: Let Justice Flow like Streams (ELW 717)
Worship Leaders
Prayers
We pray for Gwen McClanahan, Kathrine Broderson, Marjorie Engum, Arnie Uecker, Cindy Bye, Gayle Breding, Rosalind Bulger, Jerry Bauck, and for the following friends of the congregation Shellie's daughter, Daphnie Gallagher; Lynn's Sister, Faith Sperry; Mick's sister, Jean Edwards; Marlys' brother and his wife, JD & Verona Sundseth; Rosalind's Brother & Sister-in-law, Marlin & Karen Reeck; Marlys' brother, Doug Sundseth; Catherine Card's husband, Eric Halverson; Connie's daughter in law, Shelley Ruff; Chuck & Joyce's great grandsons, Wesley & James; Jessie's extended family member, Liz; Gayle's friend, Lennie Haugh; Ida Mae's daughter, Phyllis; Jason; Ruth; and Crystal West.
In our prayers around the Montana Synod, we lift up American Lutheran and First Presbyterian in White Sulphur Springs, Whitewater Lutheran in Whitewater, and the process of selecting a bishop for the synod. Among the 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we lift up the Southeastern Synod and our Candidate for Deacon: Colter McCarty.
Announcements
Annual Church Meeting - Sunday, January 27 2019
Save the date for this important meeting! More details to follow.
Do you have something you would like highlighted in a 2018 year in review? Please contact Lynn B. with the information.
Chrisitkon Benefit Dec 13th
Budget Committee Meeting - Sat. Dec. 8th @ 10 am
Following the congregational meeting on Sunday, December 2nd will be the next meeting of the Budget Committee.
UPDATE (Dec 10, 2018): Click to download the PDF version of the Proposed 2019 Budget from the Dec 8, 2018 Budget Committee Meeting
Worship & Music Committee Dec 7th @4:30p
Family Services Inc - Christmas Presents
Because no one wants to go without at Christmas...we are providing gifts for two families this year. Tags with a desired gift item are available in the narthex on the "Ways to Get Involved Board"
Financial Stewardship - October 2018
Friendship
"We would like to thank all of you for the prayers and cards while Linda was in Rehab. She is home and doing good. Thanks again for the prayers and cards."
Al & Linda
"I would like to say thank you for everyone that sent cards came to see me and keeping me in your prayers while I had my surgery l am home and doing physical and speech therapy."
Thanks again, Gayle
Youth Group
There will be a spaghetti feed and game night Dec. 8th at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Also, the group is planning to serve the Sunday meal in January 2019 for Family Promise.
WELCA News
Circle times may change. We may want to combine the two study groups or move the Mary & Martha circle to the afternoon. Stay tuned.
Benevolences
We recently received thank you(s) from the Kuwaa Mission, the Montana Synod and Freedom in Christ.
Volunteers
Over the two weeks we've been filling out Time & Talent slips, we've recorded about 110 hrs of volunteer work here at Bethlehem and in our community. Our support of outside organizations includes Family Promise, Washington School, MSUB Campus Ministry, connecting with local youth and ministry with travelers. Within the congregation, we've been working together to prepare the worship space, maintain the property, teach Christian education, clean our space, and rolling up our sleeves to figure out the budget. Well done, Bethlehem, we are indeed a small church with a big heart!
Help Lead Worship - Set the Table (Sacristan/Altar Guild)
We are a liturgical church. This means we follow familiar patterns of prayer, readings and song. The word 'liturgy' means the work of the people. Worship is something we do together. We need you.
Please consider helping to set the table. The Altar Guild has a number of responsibilities. Essential they prepare the sanctuary for worship, setting the table, posting the hymns, adjusting banners and paraments for the season, and other duties as needed. For more information, please visit their page or talk to the person clearing the table after the service.
Reports from the Special Congregational Meeting on December 2, 2018
Click to download the PDF version of the Reports from Dec 2, 2018 Meeting